Motor-vehicle construction.



E. GRUENFELDT.

MOTOR VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18,1914.

1, 1 1 O, 1 34, Patented Sept. 8. 1914.

lvrrL G UENFEL T; or CLE ELAN OHIO, AJSLSIGNOR 'ro THE BAKER oron VEHICLE COMPANY, or CLEVELAND, 01 110 .41 CORPORATION OF OHIO;

Original applicaition filed Decemtier 2 i, 19io,'seriat1x0. 528,540. 'Divided'and this epplietiq i filed ke '18,

To albwhom it -ma-y' concern:

:Be it kno-Wnrthat I, E; 1L (E'RUEXFELDT 3 sub ect of 'the-Emperor;0f Greri muy. res

ing at Qleveland, in the eounty-o f1Cuyahogzi- 5 and State,- of -Ohie, have invented iCC ltfllll street-ion and moreperticularly to the arra'ngementand mounting of an electric notor and drive on, propeller shaft nechams n MOTOR-V HICLE CONQTRUCTIOM;

specificttion of Letters Patent.

1914. Serial No. 839,234.

rods, each connected at he; rear to "the housing of the rear axle -'.and'exteiiding forwardlytherefrom upon opfli'itdsitks of the motor 3 and beyond itefront end; As

indicated at 3, the r(ids 5 are preteriihly cnrvedglnwardly or towardeach-other at'a point in frontof the motor arid their free (i0 ends are arranged side by side, Time,

ends of the rods 5 may be secured together :u'itlpreferahly in line with 'thej axis, ofthc m'matureshaft therefor relative to' areur-axle havingliw e vdriven I I i (3 ind cates a un versal ]oi nt'betweenlthe" shaft sect-l ons v 4 v h 15 Thisapplication is division'of; my application for Letters Patent filed- Dee. 21, 191Q,

forming a support f :r the hitter. 'FllQ-iO it Serial Number 598 540;

. v preferably comprises metnheiffifltu ia For the purpose of illustrntign, l bare in ported by the'frame- 1 enel'having ii: chumthe iicc' o'mpanying .drawingsifshown and ,her 6;; a Pair of blocks 6? in0u'nted" within 20 tiereinndeseribed one formfioffmot-o r rehiele 'tl eeliember'fif and a ballfi irhicli gi'r.

rronstriietion embodying eniy inrentiOn. Tied hythe free end of the rod I I v Fign're 1 a-side viewt of.the chassis 10f I I v cits- 6" iiiot-or-vehicle-showing l ly-invention up} tire reees e(l"at 61 and jthi' s op" to; plied thereto. Fig. -2v =is a" to? plan richot form arr-ocl et hetn' een theni to rotatahl'y re-7" 25 certain parts of the-chassis s town in Fig; .1 UCGLYQ 'the ba'll 6. The bl ock s' ti" irre plrefersomewhat enlarged. Fig, 3 is a transverse giblyhelql in the chambered iportioii'i'ti"(if-the secti-oiialriew 3.0111 the tine of Fig; ine'tnbertl a screw plug t3. The 'rea w ll Fig.4 is :r fragmentary iew; partly in'. sec let" the Chtl nber (3' is fo1inecl"iivith"ah opening tion of theeiipport for 'th e front endo'e't' the gfii throng'h which the ma s" extiendi "AST 30 reach rods. l 'igs. 7 and 6 are fragmentary shown, the member or hanger 6*depehfds "views showing a clitt'crent-torm of.tbe 'i nfrein the frame 1. yention. a i v 4 v The universal joint' member 6* is conin the drawings, lqindicates .the ChasaiS V nected to the. 'fraihe l atjits ppm-tend, pref of a vehicle; 'l -indica'telq the wheel? there- 35 for; f-H'Jl PI indicates the springs on which erahlyj byv a universal joint 'llhisjoint- 8'' the frame 1 is mounted 1f indicntcs z eross n'ielnhr'conneeting the sides ofthefrnme 1 my comprise a casing 8, conneefted 'in' any suitable nu ner with the frame 1 ep'iiir'fof bloeks 8 between yvhieh is forin'erl icket ;ind -a hall element'8' rt J ff ir 2h, ,1 2-9, =a= rlitfei en'ti-gilg ho ing l 'fg nel a 40 'tliemselves fiirfl no part pf my..i nventipni indicates the rear axleieor' iprising live axle sectiom 2.-2,- housings or casings therefor 2", 2; a differential housing if' and a the element 8 i carrihd the upper end of the member 6, it being [,ire fe'r'ably 96 formed integrally therewith. The blocks 8] (litterential '2. r t I are arranged in the ca ing 8; tliey are pref= 45 3 indicates-an electric Int-ton erably held therein by zrserew'plugi 8".

Y 0 V Y The plug '8" and the adjacentblock 8" at inclicates drive or propeller shaft,

are formed mtlrsuitnhle openings through 100 'wbichis drive-n by the motor l '-lbi; shaft frame 1 :incl the frontend' 0f the rod 5", I i

is connected at one. end to v the armature shaft of the motor and at its op'po ritc end 50 to the gear 4, which latter drives-1 the live axle sections 2 2, (lire-ugh the rlifi'crential 2".

5, 5, indicate a pair of spuce'l arms or 7 iiuliezitee a bracket member which {1237' S1; htly different form of the invention. As

wil be understood from these figures, instead of curving the reach rods 5 inwardly,

' and connecting them together at a point forward of the motor 3, they are continued forward arallel to each other and each is sup orte by a' universal joint 6-similarly to oint 6 which supports the rod 5"; and

', the socket member of the joint is in turn connected to the frame 1 by a universal joint 8.

To those skilled in the art of makin apparatus of the class described, many afterations in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

It will be noted that the motor, rear axle and the drive connections or power transmitting mechanism between the armature shaft of the motor and the live shaft sec; tions of the rear axle are so sup orte correlated and connected together t at no relative movement of these parts in directions to cause disalinement of the armature shaft, propeller shaft and rear axle mechainism can be effected due to any normal conditions met with in the operation of the motor or road. conditions to which the rear 7 drive wheels of the vehicle may be subjected. In this connection it may be stated that mi present invention is an improvement upo my invention as disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 941,517, dated No!- vember 30, 1909, inasmuch as I have herein provided a ainst any possibility of relative detrimentafmovement of the motor and the combined torsion and reach rods which support the motor. Through the instrumentality of these rods and the rear axle and motor housings the motor shaft, drive or propeller shaft and the shaft connections be.-

. tween the latter and the differential mechanism of the 'rear axle are held in rigid alinement with each other, irrespective of the movements of either the motor or the rear axle relative to the frame of the vehicle. In other words, the motor, the drive con} nections between the motor and the rear and axle housing axle; the' arms, and rear axle housing when they move together must always move as a unitary structure.

It will be further noticed that the support between the framc and the motor casing is effected through a plurality of universal joints, one or more of which is preferably in the horizontal plane of the axis of the armature shaft, while the other or others of the universal joints are thercabove.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, and a wheeled support for the rear end of said frame including a rear axle having a housing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased thereby, of a ball and socket universal joint supported by said frame, an electric motor arranged entirely between said ball and socket joint and said differential mechanism and having its armature shaft disposed longitudihally of said frame, the said universal joint being arranged in alinement with the armature shaft of said motor and sup rting' the motor from its front end, gearlng connections between the rear end of said armature shaft and said differential mechanism, and a rigid support between the motor casing and said rear axle housing whereby the motor casing always move together as a unitary structure. y 1

2. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame and a rear axle for sup orting the same at its rear end, said rear axe havin a housing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased arranged in alinement with the armature shaft of the motor and entirely in front thereof, and the other element of said joint being connected to said frame.

3. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a rear axle mechanism including a housing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased thereby, and a vehicle frame yieldingly supported upon said housing, of a universal joint suspended from said frame to move relatively thereto and arranged in the vertical longitudinal plane of said differential mechanism, an electric motor arranged entirely between said universal joint and said rear axle mechanism, said motor being upported at its front end by said universal joint, and having the axis ofits armature shaft extending through said universal joint, a driving connection between the rear end of said armature shaft and said differential mechanism, and a rigid connection between said motor and said rear axle housing, whereby lihe'motor casing and axle housing always move together as a unitary structure.

4. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, and a wheeled support for the rear end of said frame including a drive axle having a housing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased thereby, of an electric motor having its armature shaft arranged longitudinally of said frame, gearin connections between said armature shaft and said differential mechanism, means connecting the motor casing and axle housing together so that they will swing together up and down and laterally relatively to said frame as a unitary structure, a ball and socket universal joint disposed co-axially with the armature shaft of said motor and entirely at one end of said motor, the said ball being connected to move with said motor casing about the axis of said armature shaft, and means connecting said socket and said frame.

5. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, and

y a wheeled support for the rear end of said frame including a drive axle having as hous ing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased thereby, of an electric motor having its armature shaft arranged longitudinally of said frame, gearing connections between said armature shaft and said differential mechanism, means connecting the motor casing and axle housing together so that they will move together longitudinally and laterally of said frame as a unitary structure, a ball and socket universal joint disposed co-axially with the armature shaft of said motor and entirely at one end of said motor, the said ball being connected to move with said motor casing about the axis of said armature shaft, and means swing ably connecting said socket to said frame.

6. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, and a wheeled support for the rear end of said frame including a drive axle having a housing with live axle sections and differential mechanism incased thereby, of an electric motor having its armature snaft arranged longitudinally of said frame, gearing connection between said armature shaft and said differential mechanism including a propeller shaft, means connecting the rear end of said motor casing to said axle hous ing, whereby said motor is partially supand said rear axle said ball supported from said frame.

will move and means ported by said rear axle and therewith as a unitary structure, connecting said motor to said frame and supporting it therefrom while permitting said motor and rear axle as a unitary structune to move to and fro longitudinally of the frame, said means including a universal with the armature joint disposed co-axiall entirely at one end shaft of said motor an of said motor.

7 In a'n electric motor vehicle, the combination with a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, and a wheeled sup ort for the rear end of said frame inclu 'n a drive axle having a housing with live ax e sections and differential mechanism inc-used thereby, of an electric motor having its armature shaft arranged longitudinally of said frame, gearing connection between said armature shaft and said differential mechanism including a propeller shaft,

means connecting the rear end of said motor casing to said axle housing, whereby said motor is partially sujiported by said rear axle and will move t, herewith as a unitary structure, and means connecting said motor to said frame and supporting it therefrom while permitting said motor and rear axle as a unitary structure to niovetoand fro longitudinally of the frame, said means including a universal joint having it elements disposed in the plane of the axes of said armature shaft and live axle sections and adapted through their connection with said frame to counteract torsional impulses on said rear axle housing.

8. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination of a haft, drive axle having a housing with live axle sections and a differential, mechanism incased thereby, tor having its armature shaft disposed at right angles to said live axle sections, gearing connections between said armature shaft and said differential mechanism including a propeller shaft, means rigidly connecting the motor casing and axle housing together whereby they will always move together as a unitary structure including about the axis of said armature shaft, a ball carried by said connecting means (to-axially withthe armature shaft of said motor, a vehicle frame, resilient supports between said frame housing, and

9, ln an electric motor vehicle, the combination of a shaft drive axle hav ng a housing with live axle sections and a differential mechanism incased thereby, an electric m0- tor having its armature shaft disposed at right angles to said live axle sections, gearing connections between said armature shafl and said differential mechanism including a propeller shaft, means rigidly connecting the motor casing and axle housing together whereby they will always move together as an electric moa socket for connecting means co-axially with the arma ture shaft of said motor, a vehicle frame, resilient supports between said frame and said rear axle housing, and a socket for said ball swingablv supported from said frame.

10. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the rear end of said-frame, including a shaft drive axle havin a housing with live axle sections and a dierential mechanism incased thereby, a universal joint, an

electric motor having its armature shaft disposed longitudinally of the frame and eared to said differential mechanism, means or supporting the rear end of said motor fr said rear axle housing, the front end of a? motor being connected to said universal "oint and a second universal 'oint between one member of the first mentioned universal joint and said frame.

11. In an elevator motor vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame, front and rear wheeled supports therefor, includin a shaft drive axle havin a housing with live axle sections and a differential mechanism incased thereby, a depending member, a universal joint at the upper end of said depending member and connecting it to said frame, a second universal joint at the lower end of said depending member, and an electric motor arranged between Said second universal joint and said differential mechanism and having its armature shaft disposed longitudinall of the frame and geared at its rear en to said differential mechanism, the rear end of said motor being supported from said rear axle housing and the front end of said motor being supported by said second universal joint.

12. In an electri motor vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame, a wheeled support for the front end of said frame, a wheeled support for the rear :Ild of said frame including a shaft drive axle having a housing with live axle sections and a differential mechanism incased thereby, an electric motor having its armature shaft disposed longitudinally of the frame and geared at its rear end to said differential mechanism, means connecting the rear end of said motor to said rear axle housing,

will swing together as a unitary structure relatively to said frame, and a su port be tween said motor and frame including a plurality, of universal joints.

13. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame, a wheeled sup-i port,for the frontend of said frame, a, wheeled support for the rear end of said" frame including a shaft drive axle havin a housing with live axle sections and a di erential mechanism incased thereby, an .elec tric motor having its armature shaft disposed longitudinally of the frame and geared at its rear end to said differential mechanism, means connecting the rear end of said motor to said axle housing whereby said motor and axle housing will-swin together as a unitary structure relativey to said frame, and a support for the motor i'neluding a hanger and a flexible joint between the lower end of said hanger and said motor, the elements of said joint being in the horizontal plane of the axis of said armature shaft, and a universal joint between theother end of said hanger and said frame.

14. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination of a vehicle frame, a wheeled sup-, port for the front end of said frame, a wheeled support for the rear end of said frame including a shaft drive axle haviriiig a housing with live axle sections and di erential mechanism incased thereby, an electric motor having its armature shaft disposed longitudinally of the frame and geared at its rear endto said differential mechanism, means connecting the rear end of said motor to said rear axle casin whereby said motor and rear axle casing wi 1 swing together as a unitary structure relatively to said frame, and a support-for the motor including a hanger, a universal joint in the horizontal plane of the axis of said armature shaft and connecting said motor casing with the lower end of said hanger, and a pivotal-connection between the upper end of the hanger and the frame.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

EMIL GRUENFELDT.

\Vitnesses:

R. H. JAMISON,

EDWARD R; 'AnnxANDEn.

xy, an

whereby said motor and rear axle casi'ng 

